Chapter 7

Nicole didn't hesitate. She blocked Edward right away.

Less than a minute later, her phone rang again. It was an unfamiliar number.

She didn't need to guess; this was Edward's classmate or one of his friends.

Given a second chance at life, Nicole had zero interest in being taken for a fool. She wouldn't let anyone get a single grain of food out of her.

And so, she powered off her phone.

Poppy had fallen asleep on the couch, curled into a tight ball, her dreams restless and uneasy.

Nicole checked the girl's temperature. It had dropped to just over 100°F.

With Poppy here, Nicole couldn't keep cooking. You never let wealth show.

She ate the clumped chicken noodle soup and somehow found them incredibly good.

The balcony had an emergency window. Every other window was covered with frosted film. Light could get in, but no one outside could see what was happening inside.

Nicole took out planting pots and soil. She pulled out a few pounds of potatoes, cut the sprouting ones into chunks, dusted the cut sides with ash, and planted them. She set up around 20 pots and moved them onto the storage space balcony.

Then she planted garlic, green onions, lettuce, spinach, and a few other fast-growing greens. Using hanging hooks, she suspended some of the pots along the metal railing.

With proper care, fresh vegetables wouldn't be a problem.

She hadn't even washed her hands when loud knocking slammed against the door.

"Nicole! Nicole!"

The voice was unfamiliar. If she had to guess, it was Edward's classmates.

Nicole almost laughed. They must really be starving.

"Nicole, you're always cooking. Can you spare us something?"

"We'll buy it from you. Double the price. No, five times!"

"Just accept the friend request! I'll transfer the money right now!"

"Come on, we're all friends! We'll see each other again. Do you really have to be this heartless?"

Even with two stainless steel doors between them, the noise was grating. The words got uglier. Someone kicked the door in frustration.

Nicole grabbed a kitchen knife from the counter, yanked the door open, and swung it down hard.

"Who kicked the door?" she snarled.

Three guys stood outside. When the door opened, they looked relieved at first.

Everyone knew Nicole used to fawn over Edward. Surely she wouldn't let her dream guy starve.

They had finished all the snacks last night. They didn't have breakfast or lunch today. They only finished the leftover bottles of beer they had left, which only made them hungrier.

Edward had told them Nicole was weird and obsessed with stockpiling. He said she lived like a grandmother, with food rotting in her place because she hoarded too much.

They had mocked her plenty behind her back. Never had they expected it to pay off like this!

Before they could say anything, the knife came down. They jumped aside, instantly furious.

"Nicole, are you crazy?"

Nicole blocked the doorway, eyes cold. "Get lost! I don't have shameless sons like you."

They stared, stunned, then snapped back. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"I'm not your mother," Nicole said, blade pointed straight at them. "Why should I feed you? Kick my door again, and I'll chop you up and serve you with beer."

She had survived three years of hell, fought and killed plenty. She had seen how ugly people could get.

Her killing intent was real. Their scalps tingled.

"W-We're friends, right? And we're paying."

"Even if I had food, I'd rather feed it to a dog than give it to you. You think I didn't hear how you talked about me?" Nicole's gaze swept over them. "If you look down on me so much, don't come begging. Two missed meals, and you digested your backbone?"

Their faces burned red, bodies shaking with anger and shame.

"Tell Edward to stop clinging to the campus beauty while begging me for food on the side," Nicole said flatly. "Living off others and still pretending to be proud… It's pathetic. Try this again, and I'll post everything on the school forum and the neighborhood group. Let's see if he's really that shameless."

"Y-You've got nerve!" they retorted.

It was only two missed meals. They still cared about appearances.

Besides, Nicole looked unhinged with a knife in hand. From her gaze, she seemed like she might actually eat someone. They assumed she had snapped over Edward and Mary.

"You'd better watch your back!"

With that, they retreated in a hurry.

Nicole didn't reply. Instead, she slammed the knife into the wall.

That was enough; they bolted.

Nicole closed the door and turned to see Poppy awake, tears trembling in her eyes. She wanted to cry, but didn't dare. Her small body shook on the couch.

Something about this child felt wrong. She seemed like she had been hurt badly before.

Nicole put the knife back and softened her voice. "It's okay. Those were bad people. I chased them away."

She touched Poppy's forehead. The fever was gone.

Poppy's stomach growled.

"Are you hungry?" Nicole asked.

Poppy nodded, then shook her head. "Where's my brother?"

The neighbor in 1801 still hadn't returned.

Nicole used the excuse of cooking and brought out a plate of spaghetti with meatballs from the storage space.

Poppy was starving. She ate while sneaking glances at Nicole, as if afraid Nicole would get angry at any moment.

She seemed very sensitive. She likely had a rough home life.

Nicole gently rubbed her head and handed her a lollipop.

"Thank you." Poppy curled up quietly on the couch.

Nicole checked her phone again. In the group chat, she saw Edward asking for help.

Edward looked bright and friendly. He ranked high among the good-looking guys at school and knew how to act popular.

Many students rented in the complex. Once he spoke up, replies came fast.

[I've got bread and instant mac-and-cheese. If you need it, come grab some.]

Nicole tapped the profile. It was a girl from the 12th floor. She was an accounting major, if Nicole remembered correctly. She was petite and pretty in a soft, delicate way. And just like the rest, she had been orbiting Edward.

Both sides knew what they were getting into. They could suit themselves, really.

But the girl probably didn't realize Edward wouldn't be the only one to show up. Rather, it would be a whole group. These people were like locusts, leaving nothing behind.

Nicole had seen the girl carrying groceries before. She probably cooked and had supplies. If she wised up after being drained once or twice, she might still cut her losses in time.

After thinking for a moment, Nicole posted a message as well, saying she was hungry.

No one replied.

She tried again, offering four dollars for instant noodles or bread.

Still nothing.

Outside, the typhoon raged. Old windows in the neighboring building shattered. Wind roared through the apartments. Floodwater climbed higher and higher.

It really was a once-in-a-century storm.

The group chat grew quiet. The excitement from the morning was gone.

Poppy fell asleep again, and Nicole tucked a blanket around her.

A series of knocks came, steady and familiar.

"Poppy."

Recognizing the voice from 1801, Nicole opened the door.

He stood there in a raincoat, soaked through, holding the note she had taped to his door. "Is Poppy with you?"

Nicole nodded. "She caught a cold and had a fever. She cried until she threw up and almost choked. I gave her medicine, and the fever's down. Just keep giving her cold medicine."

He looked shocked. "Are you a doctor?"

"Not really. I know some basics."

He stepped inside and touched Poppy's forehead.

Nicole thought he would take her and leave.

Instead, he hesitated, then said, "Sorry to bother you. My name's Zeph Dawson. I just moved in last night, and I've got nothing at home. The storm doesn't look like it's stopping anytime soon. I need to go get supplies. Can Poppy stay with you for a bit? I'll come get her tonight."

Nicole frowned. "You're going out in this weather?"